A couple of months ago (SHOOT, 3/16, p. 4), this column reported on the "Environmental Production Guide" (EPG) that had just been launched by the Entertainment Industry Development Corporation (EIDC), the private/public sector partnership that oversees the Los Angeles City/County Film Office. The EPG is designed to help production companies on the ecological front. By logging onto eidc.com and clicking on EPG, you can access such info as names of vendors that sell recyclable materials; the best ways to dispose of surplus lumber and paints; and how to set up a "green" production office.
Now the EIDC is introducing a pilot recycling program that dovetails with the EPG offerings. Dubbed "Recycling on Location," the program hopes to educate the filmmaking community about the ease of recycling when shooting on the streets of Los Angeles.
In a nutshell, the EIDC delivers bottled water and sets up recycling containers on location. At the end of the shoot, EIDC picks up the empty bottles and cans, and delivers them to recycling facilities.
"We’ve made it as easy as possible," said EIDC president Cody G. Cluff. "Filmmakers want to do the right thing and the EIDC is giving them the tools to recycle."
The EIDC is targeting film shoots Downtown and in Hollywood and West Los Angeles this entire month. If the program is successful, it could be extended and expanded throughout Greater Los Angeles. Production companies interested in participating should call EIDC’s special recycling hotline: (323) 957-1000, ext. 908.
The City of Los Angeles’ recycling department and the California Department of Conservation are supporting the program through funds generated by the five-cent redemption value for beverage containers sold in California. Los Angeles’ Department of Water & Power has made a zero-emission electric vehicle available to EIDC to facilitate the deliveries and pickups.
"Studio backlots are models of environmental efficiency," related Cluff. "EIDC programs like Recycling on Location and our new Environmental Production Guide hopefully build on the studio’s example and create a mechanism for companies to recycle when they’re off lot."
EPG tips along those lines for on-location and stage shoots include using energy-efficient lights and equipment; exploring alternatives to diesel generators for power needs; buying products (such as paper) made from recycled content, or at least products that can be recycled and that don’t contain toxic materials; avoiding tropical hardwoods (luaun) and using alternatives to wood if you can (steel scaffolding) for set construction; utilizing water-based paints; trying to use hair and makeup products that don’t pollute the air, and cosmetic products that haven’t been tested on animals; and making sure you have obtained all necessary environmental permits.
The EPG also contains advice for best-case and not so ideal scenarios. The former would include getting clean-fuel vehicles for production. Many natural-gas trucks are available, and you can even rent electric and natural-gas vehicles in the Los Angeles area, as well as in other cities, from Budget subsidiary EV Rentals. Fall-back position: At the very least, tell drivers to turn off the engines rather than having cars and trucks sitting around and idling.
Donating items also figures prominently in a pro-eco agenda. Arrange to donate catering leftovers to a food bank. When striking the set, donate materials and unneeded props. Recycle materials that aren’t appropriate for donating, and be sure to properly dispose of hazardous and toxic materials.
The EIDC hopes that the EPG and Recycling on Location become tangible resources for short- and longform filmmakers. "The same producers who work here also live in this community," stated Cluff. "Protecting our environment is in everyone’s interests."
